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WHAT DO YOU WANT?
Officer: YOU'RE UNDER ARREST.
Narrator: A DANGEROUS YOUNG CRIMINAL
WON'T LET ANYONE STAND IN HIS WAY.
AH!
NO REMORSE, NO CONSCIENCE, SOCIOPATH.
Narrator: HE LEADS A GANG OF THIEVES
WHO ROB A WEALTHY COMMUNITY BLIND.
WE DIDN'T CARE ABOUT WHO WE TOOK FROM AND WHAT WE DID,
WHO GOT HURT IN THE PROCESS.
Narrator: THE CRIME SPREE SPARKS A COUNTYWIDE MANHUNT...
Oakes: YOU HAVE THOUSANDS OF EYES OUT ON THE STREET
LOOKING FOR HIM AT THAT POINT.
Narrator: ...BUT THIS FUGITIVE WON'T GO DOWN WITHOUT A FIGHT.
Padgett: WHEN THE COPS CAME AFTER ME,
THEY WERE COMING WITH A VENGEANCE.
[ TIRES SCREECH ]
[ SIRENS WAILING ]
Narrator: NO CRIMINAL WANTS TO GO TO PRISON,
SO SOME GO ON THE RUN.
THIS IS THE STORY OF ONE MAN...
[ GUNSHOT ]
...WHO ALMOST GOT AWAY WITH IT.
JUNE 2007.
WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA.
[ POLICE RADIO CHATTER ]
19-YEAR-OLD KYLEN PADGETT IS STARTLED AWAKE.
Officer: SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.
Padgett: IT WAS 3:00 IN THE MORNING
AND THERE WAS A FLASHLIGHT ON MY FACE,
THROUGH MY BEDROOM WINDOW,
AND SOMEBODY KNOCKING ON THE FRONT DOOR,
THE BACK DOOR, SAYING, "SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.
MR. PADGETT, COME OUT."
I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON.
Officer: COME ON DOWN HERE.
YOU'RE UNDER ARREST.
UNDER ARREST FOR WHAT?
I GET UP, I WALK OUT IN A PAIR OF BOXERS,
AND THE COPS GRAB ME, THROW ME IN HANDCUFFS,
AND THEY SAY, "YOU'RE UNDER ARREST."
Narrator: POLICE HAVE TRACKED A STOLEN MOTORCYCLE
TO PADGETT'S BACKYARD.
I TOLD THE COP, "YOU'RE CRAZY."
Narrator: HE LIVES WITH HIS MOTHER,
WHO WORKS THE GRAVEYARD SHIFT AT A LAB.
WHAT'S GOING ON?
A NEIGHBOR CALLS HER ABOUT THE ARREST, AND SHE RUSHES HOME.
WHAT'D YOU DO THIS TIME?
I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING!
THE MOTORCYCLE BELONGS TO ONE OF PADGETT'S NEIGHBORS.
PADGETT INSISTS HE'S NOT TO BLAME AND DOES NOT GO QUIETLY.
IT WAS...
PADGETT MAY BE YOUNG, BUT IT'S NOT HIS FIRST ARREST.
HE'S ALREADY A FAMILIAR FACE TO THE LOCAL POLICE.
Odham: HE WAS ARRESTED FOR SEVERAL PROPERTY CRIMES,
BREAKING AND ENTERINGS,
BURGLARY-TYPE CRIMES HERE LOCALLY
BY OUR DETECTIVES AND SHERIFF'S OFFICE DETECTIVES.
Narrator: IN FACT, PADGETT HAS ALREADY CREATED
HIS OWN CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE.
HOW MUCH DID YOU WANT FOR THESE PHONES?
$50 EACH.
THE FIRST TIME I STOLE ANYTHING, I WAS PROBABLY 16 --
JUST SMALL THINGS FROM THE MALL.
THEN IT WAS LIKE, "HEY.
"WOW. I LIKE YOUR GLASSES.
CAN YOU GET ME SOME?"
HOW MUCH FOR THESE SHADES?
100 BUCKS.
YOU KNOW, AND THEN I WENT TO SOMETHING ELSE,
LIKE LADIES' LINGERIE.
ACTUALLY, LOOKING FOR SOMETHING FOR MY GIRL. WHAT DO YOU GOT?
HOW ABOUT THIS?
HERE'S $20.
A SET OF RIMS FOR YOUR CAR, SPEAKERS FOR YOUR TRUNK --
I'LL FIND OUT HOW MUCH IT'S WORTH,
CHARGE YOU 1/3 THE PRICE, AND THEN THAT WAS THAT.
AND THEN I GUESS WORD GOT AROUND.
IT'LL GET YOU LAID, FOR SURE.
HE KNEW WHERE TO GET THINGS AND WHERE TO GO
AND, SO, THAT WAS REALLY ABOUT IT.
HE WAS KIND OF THE GO-TO GUY IF YOU NEEDED SOMETHING.
Man: WELL, THE INNOCENT PLEA IS THE BEST WAY TO GO.
Narrator: PADGETT'S CHARGED WITH STEALING THE MOTORCYCLE
AND COULD NOW BE FACING SOME SERIOUS JAIL TIME.
HE PLEADS NOT GUILTY, POSTS BOND,
AND IS RELEASED WHILE A TRIAL DATE IS SET.
SOUNDS GOOD.
ALL RIGHT, I'LL SEE YOU IN A COUPLE WEEKS.
PADGETT CAN'T AFFORD ANY MORE STRIKES AGAINST HIM.
HE LAYS LOW AND TRIES TO STAY OUT OF TROUBLE
BY MAKING AN HONEST LIVING.
Padgett: I DIDN'T WANT ANY MORE HEAT.
I'M WORKING FAST FOOD, MAKING $200 A WEEK.
Narrator: AUGUST 8, 2007.
[ CELLPHONE RINGING ]
PADGETT GETS A CALL FROM JEFF KINDER, ONE OF HIS BEST FRIENDS.
HELLO.
DUDE, CAN YOU TAKE OFF EARLY?
NO, I CAN'T.
OH, COME ON, MAN.
Padgett: HE WAS YOUNGER THAN ME
BUT HE WAS ALWAYS LIKE MY OLDER BROTHER.
NO, I GOT TO LAY LOW.
I GOT THIS COURT CASE COMING UP.
IT'S COOL. WE'LL JUST HANG, BE MELLOW.
COME ON.
Narrator: PADGETT CAN'T RESIST THE TEMPTATION...
ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT, YOU CAN PICK ME UP AT 6:00.
...AND AGREES TO HIT THE TOWN WITH KINDER.
Padgett: HE COMES, PICKS ME UP THAT NIGHT AND JUST HANGING OUT,
AND WE GO TO THE BAR.
GOT A LITTLE SOMETHING-SOMETHING FOR YOU.
OH, YEAH?
Narrator: AT THE BAR,
THE FRIENDS TAKE TURNS SNORTING *** IN THE BATHROOM.
[ CHUCKLES ]
HELL, YEAH.
BAR PATRON BRIAN YOUNG OVERHEARS THEM.
COME ON.
ACCORDING TO PADGETT, THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.
Padgett: I PROBABLY HAD ABOUT $300, $350 IN MY POCKET
AND PROBABLY ABOUT 1/2 GRAM OF POWDER.
I NOTICED YOU WERE PARTYING.
YOU GOT ANY WEED?
I DON'T KNOW, MAN. YOU LOOKING TO BUY SOME?
I DON'T MIND KICKING WITH HIM.
WE COULD FIND SOME COOLER WOMEN TO HANG OUT WITH, YOU KNOW,
SOME OLDER BROADS.
MAYBE WE COULD FIND SOME COUGARS OR SOMETHING, YOU KNOW?
ALL RIGHT, MAN.
ALL RIGHT, COME WITH US.
Narrator: KINDER DRIVES THEM TO MEET PADGETT'S DEALER
BEHIND A RESTAURANT IN CENTRAL WILMINGTON.
ALL RIGHT, I'LL CALL YOU WHEN WE'RE DONE.
IT WON'T TAKE LONG.
ACCORDING TO PADGETT,
HE AND BRIAN WAIT BEHIND THE RESTAURANT
FOR THE DEALER
WHILE KINDER PARKS A COUPLE OF BLOCKS AWAY.
THIS GUY HAS THE BEST STUFF.
IT'S GETTING HARDER TO FIND SOMEONE.
NO WORRIES, MAN. I'LL HOOK YOU UP.
HERE HE COMES.
WHEN THE DEALER ARRIVES, BOTH MEN GET IN THE CAR.
WHAT'S GOING ON, MAN?
HEY.
HEY, WHO'S THIS GUY?
DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT. HE'S A FRIEND.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN A FRIEND?
HE'S JUST TRYING TO BUY SOME WEED.
HOW'S IT GOING, MAN?
Padgett: THEY'RE GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER
AND HE'S PULLING THE SCALES OUT
AND HE'S WEIGHING OUT THE POWDER.
Narrator: THE MEN GET HIGH WHILE WRAPPING UP THE DEAL.
AND THEN WE HANG OUT FOR ANOTHER 10 OR 15 MINUTES,
YOU KNOW, AND SMOKE THE BLUNT.
Narrator: BUT THE COMBINATION OF DRUGS AND ALCOHOL
STARTS MAKING PADGETT EDGY.
GEEZ.
HE SUDDENLY REMEMBERS KINDER IS STILL WAITING FOR THEM...
ALL RIGHT, LET'S GET OUT OF HERE, MAN.
...AND ABRUPTLY FINISHES BUYING THE WEED AND ***.
Padgett: I WENT TO PULL OUT MY CELLPHONE
TO CALL MY PARTNER AND TELL HIM,
"HEY, MAN, GET YOUR CAR OVER HERE. PICK US UP."
HEY. WHERE'S MY WEED?
DUDE, CHILL OUT.
NEW THING I KNEW, I HEARD A CLICK.
I LOOK DOWN. I SEE A KNIFE IN HIS HAND.
OKAY, MAN.
LET'S -- LET'S JUST TALK ABOUT THIS, OKAY?
I WAS LIKE, "OH, NO, NO, NO.
THIS GUY'S FIXIN' TO ROB ME."
YOU KNOW, I DON'T WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN,
SO I LOOKED, I TURNED, AND I TRIED TO RUN.
THERE WAS NOWHERE TO GO.
HAND IT OVER.
I TRIED TO RUN PAST HIM.
WHEN I TRIED TO RUN PAST HIM, HE STEPPED IN FRONT OF ME,
SWUNG HIS BLADE AT ME.
AH!
Narrator: PADGETT IS ALSO ARMED.
Padgett: AND THAT'S WHEN I PULLED MY BLADE OUT,
AND WE GOT IN A KNIFE FIGHT RIGHT AWAY.
LET'S GO.
AH!
[ GRUNTS ]
Narrator: BRIAN IS STABBED FIVE TIMES
IN THE CHEST AND ABDOMEN.
JUST AS THIS IS ALL HAPPENING,
TWO PEOPLE AND A VAN DRIVE BY BUT DON'T STOP.
HEY! HELP! CALL THE COPS!
THEY DO CALL 911.
WITH NO SIGN OF KINDER, PADGETT FLEES THE SCENE IN A PANIC.
Padgett: I DITCHED THE KNIFE.
I DITCHED THE COKE.
I STILL HAD MY MONEY ON ME.
YOU KNOW, I GOT BLOOD ON ME.
YOU KNOW, I'M SCARED TO DEATH.
I WAS TERRIFIED. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.
WHOA, HOLD UP, GUYS.
HOLD UP.
Narrator: WHILE FLEEING, HE BUMPS INTO TWO COLLEGE STUDENTS.
PLEASE JUST WALK WITH ME, OKAY?
I DON'T -- I JUST...
I WAS LIKE, JUST CALM, "HEY, LOOK, MY NAME'S KYLE.
"I DON'T KNOW WHAT JUST HAPPENED.
"A COKE DEAL JUST WENT WRONG.
WALK WITH ME. PLEASE JUST WALK WITH ME."
HERE, YOU KNOW WHAT?
TAKE 20 BUCKS, OKAY?
Narrator: HE OFFERS THEM $20 EACH TO WALK HIM TO A PAYPHONE.
ALL RIGHT, MAN.
IF THE POLICE SHOW UP,
JUST TELL THEM WE'VE BEEN WALKING
FOR THE PAST COUPLE HOURS.
THANKS, GUYS. I APPRECIATE IT.
Narrator: THEY ESCORT HIM TO THE NEAREST PHONE,
WHERE HE CALLS KINDER TO PICK HIM UP.
HE FINALLY CAME TO PICK ME UP.
AS SOON AS I GOT IN THE CAR, I'M CHANGING MY CLOTHES,
TRYING TO GET THIS DIRT OFF ME.
I WAS SO SCARED, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?
Narrator: AS SOON AS HE AND KINDER LEAVE,
THE STUDENTS TAKE DOWN THE LICENSE-PLATE NUMBER
AND CALL 911.
MEANWHILE, BRIAN IS RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL.
THE NEXT DAY, POLICE PAY PADGETT ANOTHER VISIT.
THEY'VE TRACKED THE LICENSE PLATE TO KINDER
AND PADGETT IS ON RECORD AS A KNOWN ACQUAINTANCE.
KYLEN PADGETT, YOU'RE UNDER ARREST.
COME OUTSIDE.
THEY WERE KNOCKING ON THE DOOR, LOOKING TO ARREST ME.
COME OUTSIDE WITH YOUR HANDS BEHIND YOUR HEAD.
ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT.
Odham: HE SURRENDERED VOLUNTARILY.
HE CAME TO THE DOOR AND WAS IMMEDIATELY PLACED IN CUSTODY.
THIS ALL HAPPENED WITHIN 18 HOURS OF THE CRIME.
Narrator: PADGETT IS QUESTIONED BY THE POLICE...
SO, I HEAR YOU HAD QUITE THE NIGHT LAST NIGHT.
I GUESS.
...BUT HE'S NOT COOPERATING.
YOU DIDN'T KNOW WHAT YOU WERE GONNA GET OUT OF HIM.
VERY CONFRONTATIONAL, MAKING REMARKS,
DEROGATORY STATEMENTS TOWARDS US.
YOU'RE ONE DUMB-*** COP.
Padgett: HE KEPT SAYING, "DO I LOOK STUPID TO YOU?"
AND HE'S TRYING TO JUST INTIMIDATE ME.
"YOU'RE BEING CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED FIRST-DEGREE ***,
AND IF HE DIES, IT'S ***."
AND I'M LIKE, "WHOA. WHOA, WHOA, WHOA.
THIS IS INSANE."
ALL RIGHT, I STABBED HIM.
Narrator: PADGETT DECIDES TO ADMIT TO THE STABBING
BUT CLAIMS SELF-DEFENSE.
DETECTIVE ODHAM DOESN'T BUY IT.
HE'S CONVINCED PADGETT MEANT TO ROB BRIAN ALL ALONG.
Odham: HE WAS READILY HANDING MONEY TO THE TWO WITNESSES
WHO WE HAD INTERVIEWED THAT HAD BLOOD STAINS ON THEM.
WHETHER IT WAS HIS BLOOD, WE DON'T KNOW.
WE HAD PROBABLE CAUSE TO BELIEVE THAT HE HAD, IN FACT, ROBBED,
AND IN THE PROCESS OF COMMITTING THAT ROBBERY
HAD STABBED THE VICTIM.
Narrator: BUT IT COULD HAVE ENDED
EVEN WORSE FOR THE VICTIM, BRIAN YOUNG.
Odham: HE HAD EMERGENCY SURGERY
TO REPAIR WOUNDS TO SEVERAL ORGANS.
MIRACULOUSLY, HE SURVIVED THE INJURIES.
A VERY LUCKY GENTLEMAN.
Narrator: PADGETT IS CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED ***
AND ARMED ROBBERY.
HE IS CONSIDERED A DANGER TO SOCIETY.
HIS BAIL IS SET AT $500,000.
THAT WAS BASICALLY A RANSOM.
YOU KNOW, I WASN'T GOING ANYWHERE.
Odham: THE LAW-ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY
WAS AWARE OF MR. PADGETT'S PROPENSITY FOR VIOLENCE.
Narrator: HE IS SENT
TO THE NEW HANOVER COUNTY DETENTION FACILITY
TO AWAIT TRIAL ON THE ATTEMPTED-*** CHARGE.
WHILE I WAS IN THERE, I HAD A LOT OF TIME TO REFLECT ON IT.
OH, MAN, IT IS HOT AS...
Narrator: DESPITE PADGETT'S CRIMINAL PAST,
HE'S NOT USED TO DOING TIME, AND HE DOESN'T HANDLE IT WELL.
HE WOULD COMPLAIN A LOT -- NOT ENOUGH SOAP,
NOT ENOUGH TOILET PAPER, THE MEALS ARE BAD.
HE DIDN'T LIKE TO BE INCARCERATED.
DO YOU HAVE MORE PILLOWS?
AT LEAST TELL ME WHEN LUNCH IS.
CAN YOU TELL ME THAT? I'M HUNGRY!
HE WAS JUST BASICALLY A PAIN.
WHEN'S LUNCH?
Narrator: WHILE AWAITING TRIAL FOR THE STABBING,
PADGETT IS ACQUITTED ON THE STOLEN-MOTORCYCLE CHARGES.
PROSECUTORS ARE UNABLE TO PROVE
PADGETT ACTUALLY STOLE HIS NEIGHBOR'S BIKE.
AUGUST 2008.
IT'S BEEN OVER A YEAR SINCE THE STABBING,
AND THE CASE FINALLY GOES BEFORE A JURY.
RECOVERED FROM HIS INJURIES, THE VICTIM, BRIAN YOUNG,
TAKES THE STAND.
HE PAINTS A VERY DIFFERENT PICTURE
OF WHAT HAPPENED THE NIGHT HE WAS STABBED.
WELL, WE WERE JUST HANGING OUT, WAITING TO BUY SOME MARIJUANA...
ALL RIGHT, GIVE ME ALL YOUR MONEY.
HEY.
...AND SUDDENLY, PADGETT HERE --
HE PULLS OUT A KNIFE, AND HE DEMANDS MONEY.
I ONLY HAVE LIKE 10 BUCKS.
10 BUCKS? ARE YOU KIDDING?
COME ON.
NEXT THING I KNOW, HE'S STABBING ME.
Padgett: HE TRIED TO SAY THAT I JUST PUT A KNIFE IN HIM,
AND IT WAS JUST LIKE, "WHOA," YOU KNOW.
AND HE TRIED TO ACT IT OUT AND STUFF.
THE JURY WAS KIND OF FEEDING INTO IT.
Narrator: BRIAN'S TESTIMONY COULD BE ENOUGH
TO PUT PADGETT BEHIND BARS FOR LIFE.
Narrator: AUGUST 2008.
WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA.
Young: ...WAITING TO BUY SOME MARIJUANA...
Narrator: 20-YEAR-OLD KYLEN PADGETT
IS ON TRIAL FOR THE ATTEMPTED ***
AND ARMED ROBBERY OF BRIAN YOUNG
AFTER AN ALLEGED DRUG DEAL GONE BAD.
NEXT THING I KNOW, HE'S STABBING ME.
Narrator: BRIAN TESTIFIES THAT PADGETT STABBED HIM
FIVE TIMES DURING THE ROBBERY...
...BUT PADGETT TELLS A DIFFERENT VERSION
OF WHAT HAPPENED THAT NIGHT.
WE WERE WAITING BEHIND A RESTAURANT,
AND THEN HE PULLED OUT A KNIFE.
I JUST BASICALLY TOLD HIM WHAT HAPPENED.
YOU KNOW, WHY WOULD I ROB SOMEONE FOR $10 AND A CELLPHONE
WHEN I'VE GOT WELL OVER $300 IN MY POCKET?
I MEAN, HE CAME AFTER ME.
WHAT COULD I HAVE DONE?
Odham: MR. PADGETT WAS WHAT I WOULD CALL A GREAT ACTOR.
HE DID AN EXCELLENT JOB OF PORTRAYING HIMSELF AS A VICTIM.
IT WAS DARK.
Narrator: WITH CONFLICTING STORIES
BETWEEN PADGETT AND THE VICTIM,
THE TESTIMONY OF A PASSERBY BECOMES CRITICAL.
THE WOMAN WHO WITNESSED THE FIGHT FROM HER VAN
IS CALLED TO THE STAND...
I HEAR...
Narrator: ...BUT SHE SPEAKS LITTLE ENGLISH
AND DOES NOT USE AN INTERPRETER.
Odham: I THINK THERE WAS A COMMUNICATION PROBLEM.
SHE WAS SPANISH-SPEAKING,
AND I THINK MAYBE THEY LOST SOME OF THAT INFORMATION
IN TRYING TO TRANSLATE WHAT SHE WAS SAYING.
Narrator: FOLLOWING A THREE-DAY TRIAL, THE VERDICT IS IN.
MR. PADGETT, THE JURY HAS FOUND YOU NOT GUILTY.
Narrator: POLICE ARE STUNNED BY THE OUTCOME.
Odham: IT WAS A TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE.
HE IS A VIOLENT PERSON.
I DID NOT WANT HIM WALKING AROUND ON THE SAME STREETS
THAT MY FAMILY WALKS AROUND ON.
Narrator: AFTER MORE THAN A YEAR IN JAIL,
PADGETT IS FINALLY RELEASED AND MOVES BACK HOME.
IT WAS AUGUST 8, 2008.
I REMEMBER IT WAS THE DEAD OF SUMMER.
I WAS SO HAPPY TO BE HOME.
THE FIRST THING I DID WAS, WENT TO THE BEACH, WENT SURFING.
I WENT BACK TO FAST FOOD.
YOU KNOW, I WAS MAKING A GOOD PAYCHECK THERE.
I PROBABLY WASN'T MAKING WHAT I WANTED TO, BUT IT WAS ENOUGH.
IT'S LIKE, "FINALLY, I GET TO GO HOME
AND JUST, YOU KNOW, START OVER AGAIN."
I NEED TO MAKE SOME MONEY, MAN.
Narrator: A MONTH LATER, PADGETT TURNS 21.
HE GETS ANOTHER VISIT FROM HIS OLD FRIEND, JEFF KINDER.
I GOT A D.U.I.
Padgett: HE WAS DOING STUPID STUFF.
HE LOST HIS CAR,
AND, YOU KNOW, HE WAS JUST GOING OFF THE DEEP END.
HE WAS JUST LIKE, "I NEED TO MAKE SOME MONEY."
Narrator: PADGETT OFFERS TO GET HIM A JOB
AT THE FAST-FOOD RESTAURANT WHERE HE WORKS,
BUT KINDER HAS SOMETHING ELSE IN MIND.
I GOT A FENCE, MAN.
WHAT'S THAT?
REMEMBER ALL THAT STUFF YOU USED TO STEAL FOR FRIENDS?
WELL, THESE GUYS WILL BUY EVERYTHING, GUARANTEED.
PADGETT STILL CRAVES THE THRILL OF THIEVERY
AND CAN'T RESIST THIS NEW OPPORTUNITY.
Padgett: I GUESS IT WAS A RUSH TO STEAL SOMETHING.
YOU KNOW THAT YOU'RE DOING SOMETHING WRONG,
AND THE REWARD WAS GETTING IT, GETTING AWAY WITH IT.
YOU IN?
ALL RIGHT, IT'S A DEAL.
Narrator: THE FIRST REQUEST FROM THE FENCE
IS 10 STAINLESS-STEEL BOAT PROPELLERS.
Padgett: WE WENT TO A MARINE WAREHOUSE OR SOMETHING
AND JUST STARTED KNOCKING PROPS OFF,
AND HE GAVE ME $60 APIECE FOR THEM.
THAT WAS $600, AND I WAS LIKE, "WOW, THAT TOOK ME 15 MINUTES."
Narrator: THE MEN GO ON A STEALING SPREE,
BUT THE FENCE ISN'T PLEASED.
HE'S LOOKING FOR HIGHER-TICKET ITEMS.
WHAT IS THIS CRAP?
YOU GUYS NEED TO STEP UP YOUR GAME.
Padgett: THEY WANTED COMPUTERS.
THEY WANTED GAMING SYSTEMS, JEWELRY.
THERE WAS A WHOLE LIST OF STUFF THAT THEY WANTED.
GET IT RIGHT.
Narrator: KINDER KNOWS THE PERFECT PLACE...
LET'*** UP LANDFALL.
...THE WEALTHY COMMUNITY OF LANDFALL.
LANDFALL'S A GATED COMMUNITY, SO IT'S VERY SAFE,
OR YOU FEEL VERY SAFE.
PEOPLE LEAVE THEIR DOORS UNLOCKED,
LEAVE THEIR CARS UNLOCKED.
Narrator: BUT GETTING INSIDE WILL BE A CHALLENGE.
LANDFALL IS SURROUNDED BY A HIGH-SECURITY FENCE,
MAKING IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO GET INTO.
NO, THERE'S NO WAY WE CAN MAKE THAT.
DuBois: TO GET IN, YOU EITHER HAD TO BE A RESIDENT
AND HAVE A BARCODE THAT WOULD LIFT THE GATE UP,
OR YOU WOULD HAVE TO HAVE HAD A RESIDENT CALL YOU IN.
YOU COULDN'T REALLY WALK INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD OFF THE STREET.
Narrator: PADGETT AND KINDER REALIZE IT'S TOO RISKY
TO TRY AND GET PAST THE GATE.
AFTER SCOUTING THE AREA FOR DAYS,
THEY COME UP WITH ANOTHER WAY IN -- THE INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY.
IT'S A 3,000-MILE NETWORK OF CANALS AND INLETS
ALONG THE ATLANTIC OCEAN
THAT BORDERS ONE SIDE OF THE COMMUNITY.
THE BEST WAY IN AND OUT IS THROUGH THE MARSH.
WE CAN PARK AT THE DOCK, HIT THE MARSH, MAKE IT IN.
Narrator: BUT IN ORDER TO GET THERE, THEY NEED A BOAT.
Padgett: I LIVE ON A MARINA.
I CAN BORROW MY NEIGHBOR'S BOATS WHENEVER I WANT.
Narrator: ONE WEEK LATER, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT,
PADGETT TAKES HIS NEIGHBOR'S BOAT
AND HEADS DOWN THE INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY WITH KINDER.
IT'S NOT LONG BEFORE THEY REACH THE DOCKS
ON THE EDGE OF THE LANDFALL COMMUNITY.
Padgett: WE HIT THE DOCKS.
IT'S PROBABLY JUST A FEW MILES DOWN THE WATERWAY.
IT'S DARK.
Narrator: THEY ARRIVE ON THE SCENE,
DOCK THE BOAT, AND ARE READY TO STRIKE.
OKAY, I GOT YOUR BACK.
THEY WORK AS A TEAM --
KINDER ON LOOKOUT WHILE PADGETT HITS UP UNLOCKED CARS.
THEY STEAL EVERYTHING THEY CAN FIND,
FROM JEWELRY TO GAMING SYSTEMS TO GUNS.
PADGETT AND KINDER MAKE A CLEAN GETAWAY.
INSPIRED BY THEIR SUCCESS,
THE TWO MEN SPEND THE NEXT FEW MONTHS
HITTING DIFFERENT SECTIONS OF THE LANDFALL COMMUNITY
IN THE CITY OF WILMINGTON,
MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR POLICE TO TRACK THEM.
WE WERE PROBABLY PULLING ABOUT $2,000 APIECE PER WEEK.
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]
WE HAD A LOT OF SPENDING HABITS -- STRIP CLUBS.
WE'RE JUST GOING BALLS TO THE WALL.
COME ON, BOY.
HEY.
[ LAUGHTER ]
WE'LL RENT A COUPLE OF HOTEL ROOMS OUT...
[ LAUGHTER ]
...AND INVITE EVERYBODY OVER...
[ LAUGHS ]
[ SNIFFS ]
Padgett: ...AND I'D BUY THE WEED AND POWDER,
WHATEVER PEOPLE WANTED.
Narrator: WHILE THE YOUNG THIEVES
ARE LIVING LARGE OFF THEIR EXPLOITS,
WILMINGTON POLICE DETECTIVE JASON OAKES IS ASSIGNED
TO LOOK INTO THE RASH OF BREAK-INS.
Oakes: IT WAS INITIALLY JUST ONE BREAK-IN IN THE LANDFALL AREA,
AND THEN WE LOOKED INTO THE BREAK-INS
AND FOUND SEVERAL MORE IN THE AREA,
REALIZED THEY WERE ALL CONNECTED.
WHEN DID YOU NOTICE SOMETHING MISSING?
I THINK I ENDED UP WITH SOMEWHERE CLOSE
TO 20-SOME CASES ALL IN THE LANDFALL AREA.
WAS ANYTHING TAKEN FROM THE HOUSE?
ONCE WE MET WITH THE COUNTY DETECTIVES,
WE REALIZED WE HAD PROBABLY CLOSE TO 40,
WITH OUR CASES AND WITH THEIR CASES IN THE COUNTY,
AND WE REALIZED WE WERE DEALING WITH THE SAME PEOPLE.
Narrator: POLICE ESTIMATE THE VALUE OF THE STOLEN PROPERTY
TO BE ROUGHLY $50,000.
THANKS FOR YOU HELP. APPRECIATE IT.
YEAH, YOU'RE WELCOME.
DETECTIVE OAKES BEGINS HEAVY SURVEILLANCE OF THE AREA,
HOPING TO CATCH THE BURGLARS IN THE ACT.
WE CHECKED SURVEILLANCE VIDEO
TO SEE IF WE COULD FIND A CAR COMING IN.
THERE WAS NOTHING THERE.
WE CHECKED TO SEE IF THERE WERE WEAK POINTS IN THE FENCE,
TRIED TO FIND ANYBODY THAT WOULD BE OUT THERE
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.
DIDN'T COME UP WITH ANYTHING,
SO, INITIALLY, IT WAS A FRUSTRATING CASE.
YOU KNOW, THERE WASN'T A LOT TO GO ON.
WE WERE CHECKING THE PAWN SHOPS
TO SEE IF ANY PROPERTY WOULD TURN UP
THAT SOMEBODY HAD PAWNED. NOTHING THERE.
BUT WITHIN A WEEK, THERE WERE MORE BREAK-INS.
Narrator: DECEMBER 2008.
PADGETT AND KINDER ARE PARTYING WITH FRIENDS STEVEN FOWLER
AND HIS SISTER, HEATHER STRIDER.
THE BROTHER AND SISTER BOTH HAVE HAD RUN-INS WITH THE LAW.
I WAS ON THE RUN, AND MY SISTER, AT THE TIME,
WAS ALSO FLEEING FROM THE LAW.
AND WE ACTUALLY JUST WENT TO DRINK A LITTLE BIT AND HANG OUT.
WE NEED SOME QUICK MONEY.
FOR REAL.
Narrator: THE GROUP HAS BEEN DRINKING FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS.
KINDER SEES THE MOMENT AS AN OPPORTUNITY.
I'M SICK OF BEING BROKE.
WELL, YEAH, LET'S ALL HIT UP LANDFALL.
I DON'T KNOW, MAN.
PADGETT HESITATES AT FIRST BUT QUICKLY REALIZES
THAT THE EXTRA HANDS COULD RESULT IN A MASSIVE PAYDAY.
THAT WAS THE LIFESTYLE THAT WE LIVED.
WE LIVED IN THE FAST LANE,
AND WE DIDN'T CARE ABOUT WHO WE TOOK FROM AND WHAT WE DID,
WHO GOT HURT IN THE PROCESS.
Narrator: THE GROUP MAKES THEIR WAY
TO THE DOCKS BEHIND LANDFALL.
Padgett: WE STUCK TOGETHER FOR 25 MINUTES, 30 MINUTES,
AND THEN SPLIT UP.
STEVEN AND HIS SISTER ENDED UP GOING OFF SOLO.
Narrator: THEY ALL AGREED
TO MEET BACK AT THE BOAT IN AN HOUR.
I WAS PRETTY MUCH GRABBING ANYTHING I COULD FIT
IN THE BAG I HAD ON ME AT THE TIME -- iPODS, PHONES, CASH.
Narrator: LOADED WITH BAGS OF STOLEN GOODS,
IT'S TIME FOR THE THIEVES TO MAKE THEIR ESCAPE,
BUT FOWLER MAKES ONE LAST GRAB
THAT PUTS THE WHOLE GROUP IN DANGER.
[ CAR ALARM BLARING ]
Fowler: WE HAD BEEN THERE FOR ABOUT MAYBE AN HOUR,
HOUR AND A HALF,
AND LANDFALL POLICE DEPARTMENT ACTUALLY SPOTTED ME.
[ SIRENS WAILING ]
WE COULD HEAR SIRENS, AND WE'D SEE LIGHTS, YOU KNOW,
TURN DOWN ONE ROAD THEN TURN DOWN ANOTHER.
[ POLICE RADIO CHATTER ]
YOU GET THE ADRENALINE GOING AND START RUNNING
AND GETTING TURNED AROUND BECAUSE YOU'RE SO NERVOUS.
[ TIRES SCREECH ]
Narrator: LANDFALL SECURITY OFFICERS
ARE ON A MANHUNT FOR THE CRIMINALS.
IF THEY'RE CAUGHT,
PADGETT AND HIS FRIENDS WILL ALL BE SPENDING TIME BEHIND BARS.
Narrator: DECEMBER 2008.
JUST FOUR MONTHS
AFTER BEING CLEARED OF ATTEMPTED *** CHARGES,
KYLEN PADGETT IS ONCE AGAIN RUNNING FROM THE LAW.
HE AND THREE FRIENDS ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF RANSACKING CARS
IN THE WEALTHY COMMUNITY OF LANDFALL, NORTH CAROLINA,
WHEN IT ALL FALLS APART.
[ CAR ALARM BLARING ]
[ SIRENS WAILING ]
PADGETT AND KINDER HIDE OUT UNTIL IT'S CLEAR,
THEN MAKE A BREAK FOR THE GETAWAY BOAT.
STRIDER SHOWS UP SOON AFTER WITHOUT HER BROTHER.
WE'RE GETTING OUT OF HERE.
WAIT, WE GOT TO WAIT FOR STEVEN.
WAIT FOR MY BROTHER.
HE WAS THE ONE THAT THEY WERE CHASING,
SO HE HAD TO DIP OUT, AND HE GOT REALLY LOST, REALLY.
WE WAITED THERE FOR 5, 10 MINUTES.
Narrator: FINALLY, FOWLER FINDS THEM.
GET IN.
Padgett: IT WAS A CLOSE CALL AND I WAS PISSED AT THEM
AND THEY ALMOST GOT US IN TROUBLE
AND I REMEMBER MY PARTNER TELLING ME,
"WE'RE NEVER TAKING THEM WITH US AGAIN."
Narrator: DESPITE THE BRUSH WITH THE LAW,
THEY HEAD BACK TO PADGETT'S HOUSE TO PARTY
AND SPLIT THE LOOT.
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]
Padgett: I WAS LIKE, "WELL, IT WASN'T A COMPLETE FAILURE."
WE CELEBRATED.
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]
AND LOOK WHAT I FOUND.
OH. [ LAUGHS ]
DON'T -- DON'T USE THAT, THOUGH.
YEAH, 'CAUSE THEY CAN TOTALLY TRACE THAT.
THAT'S ONLY ON TELEVISION.
Y'ALL ARE PARANOID.
Narrator: ACCORDING TO PADGETT,
HE AND STRIDER MOVE THE PARTY TO HIS BEDROOM.
WE WENT BACK TO MY ROOM AND JUST STARTED FOOLING AROUND.
NEXT MORNING, I WOKE UP, AND IT WAS PROBABLY NOON.
COME ON, MAN.
[ GROANS ]
STEVEN WAS GONE.
HE'D TAKEN THE PISTOL, A LOT OF THE CAMERAS,
AND THERE WAS A COMPUTER.
YEAH.
WILL YOU GET RID OF HER?
I TOOK HER BACK TO HER FRIEND'S HOUSE,
DROPPED HER OFF,
AND I DIDN'T HAVE ANY INTENTIONS TO SEE HER AGAIN.
Strider: AFTER ALL THAT TOOK PLACE,
IT WAS JUST LIKE, YOU KNOW, "SEE YOU NEXT TIME."
Narrator: SHAKEN BY THEIR CLOSE CALL WITH LANDFALL SECURITY,
PADGETT AND KINDER LAY LOW, BUT STRIDER IS UNFAZED...
HEY, MA.
...AND USES HER NEWLY POCKETED CELLPHONE
TO CALL FRIENDS AND FAMILY.
IT'S ONLY $20.
I CALLED MY MOM FROM THAT CELLPHONE.
I CALLED FRIENDS FROM THE CELLPHONE
'CAUSE I WAS HOMELESS AT THE TIME.
I WAS TRYING TO FIND PLACES TO STAY FOR THE NIGHT.
WHATEVER, WHATEVER, FINE.
WE HAD BEEN GIVING HER A HARD TIME ABOUT IT.
YOU KNOW, "THROW IT AWAY. THROW IT AWAY.
"IT'S TRACEABLE. THEY'RE GONNA COME FIND YOU, YOU KNOW."
SHE DIDN'T LISTEN.
Narrator: THE NEXT DAY, LANDFALL RESIDENT CHARLENE DuBOIS
NOTICES THAT HER CELLPHONE IS MISSING.
DuBois: I WENT OUT TO THE CAR TO LOOK FOR THE PHONE,
AND IT WASN'T THERE.
I CAME BACK IN THE HOUSE AND DIALED MY NUMBER,
THINKING I COULD HEAR IT RINGING IN THE HOUSE,
AND WHEN THE PHONE STARTED TO RING, A GIRL ANSWERS THE PHONE.
[ CELLPHONE RINGS ]
AND I SAID, "HELLO. WHO IS THIS?"
AND SHE HUNG UP.
SO IT WAS AT THAT MOMENT
I KNEW THAT SOMEONE HAD STOLEN MY PHONE.
Oakes: SHE FILED A REPORT -- HER VEHICLE WAS BROKEN INTO.
THE ONLY THING STOLEN WAS A PINK CELLPHONE,
SO WE DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING
WOULD NECESSARILY COME FROM THAT CASE.
Narrator: CHARLENE DECIDES TO GET A NEW PHONE
BUT KEEPS THE OLD NUMBER.
ONE DAY, SHE GETS A CALL FROM HEATHER STRIDER'S MOTHER.
Oakes: THE MOTHER CALLED LOOKING FOR HER DAUGHTER,
AND THE VICTIM SAID, "HOW DID YOU GET MY PHONE NUMBER?"
AND SHE SAID, "OH, MY DAUGHTER CALLED ME FROM THIS NUMBER,"
AND THAT WAS THE FIRST TIME WE REALLY HAD A NAME.
ONCE WE HAD THAT NAME,
WE IMMEDIATELY WOULD CHECK HER IN OUR COMPUTER SYSTEM
TO FIND OUT IF SHE HAD ANY CRIMINAL HISTORY.
WE DID IDENTIFY HER. SHE HAD A CRIMINAL RECORD.
Narrator: STRIDER IS ALREADY ON THE RUN
FOR VIOLATING HER PROBATION.
FINDING HER WON'T BE EASY.
Strider: THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHERE I WAS.
I WAS JUST LIKE A GHOST AT THAT POINT IN TIME.
[ LAUGHTER ]
Narrator: THEN, DETECTIVE OAKES GETS A HUGE BREAK.
Strider: ME AND MY BROTHER WERE AT A HOUSE PARTY,
AND THE PEOPLE THERE WERE GETTING --
THEY WERE GETTING MESSED UP.
Narrator: BUT STRIDER IS AN UNWELCOME GUEST.
WHO THE HELL LET YOU IN?
Strider: AND THE NEXT THING I KNOW,
THE GUY HAD ME UP AGAINST THE WALL BY MY THROAT.
I PULLED A KNIFE ON HIM AND TOLD HIM THAT IF HE DIDN'T LET ME GO,
I'D SLIT HIS THROAT FROM EAR TO EAR.
WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?
THEN SOME GIRL GRABBED ME BY MY ARM.
SHE JUMPED ON ME.
Strider: GET OFF! [ GRUNTS ]
[ SCREAMS ]
I ENDED UP STABBING HER THREE TIMES IN THE SIDE
TO GET HER OFF OF ME AND JUST RAN.
I WAS JUST TRYING TO DEFEND MYSELF, REALLY.
I WAS JUST TRYING TO MAKE SURE
THAT I DIDN'T END UP IN A HOLE IN SOMEBODY'S BACKYARD.
Man: CALL AN AMBULANCE.
Narrator: STRIDER IS QUICKLY CAUGHT
AND ARRESTED BY THE NEW HANOVER COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
Oakes: THEY WERE FAMILIAR WITH OUR CASES
AND THEY LET US KNOW THAT SHE WAS IN CUSTODY
AND THEY WANTED TO KNOW
IF WE WANTED TO COME AND INTERVIEW HER.
Fowler: PRETTY MUCH, I KNEW FROM THAT POINT ON
THAT THEY WERE GONNA TIE INTO THE LANDFALL STUFF
AND THEY WERE GONNA FIND OUT SHE WAS INVOLVED
ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.
Narrator: DETECTIVE OAKES GET HIS CHANCE
TO CONFRONT HER ABOUT THE LANDFALL BREAK-INS.
AND WHAT CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THAT?
LANDFALL...
WHEN WE SAT DOWN WITH HER, SHE INITIALLY DENIED EVERYTHING,
AS MOST PEOPLE DO.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.
BUT WHEN SHE REALIZED HOW MUCH WE HAD --
WE KNEW ABOUT THE CELLPHONE CALLS.
WE ASKED HER, "IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THIS,
"WHY WOULD YOUR MOTHER BE CALLING THIS NUMBER
LOOKING FOR YOU IF YOU HAVEN'T USED THAT PHONE?"
I THINK EVERYTHING STARTED CLOSING ON HER.
SO IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT, THEN WHY...
Strider: THEY THREATENED THAT IF I DIDN'T TELL THEM
WHO WAS INVOLVED WITH ME AND CONFIRM WHAT THEY KNEW
THAT THEY WERE GOING TO CHARGE ME WITH ALL OF THE BREAK-INS
AND THAT I WAS GONNA BE THE ONE HANGING FROM THE NOOSE.
Narrator: STRIDER CAVES UNDER THE PRESSURE.
IT'S JUST THESE TWO GUYS THAT I KNOW.
SHE REVEALS THAT HER BROTHER WAS WITH HER
AND GIVES UP EVERY DETAIL ABOUT THE CRIME,
INCLUDING THE IDENTITIES OF THE OTHER SUSPECTS.
WHO IS IT?
KYLEN PADGETT AND JEFF KINDER.
Strider: I ALREADY KNEW I WAS GOING TO PRISON
AT THE TIME ANYWAY,
SO I WAS REALLY JUST HOPING TO GET MY SENTENCES RUN CONCURRENT.
[ DOGS BARKING ]
Narrator: DECEMBER 31, 2008.
STILL LAYING LOW,
PADGETT IS HAVING A QUIET NEW YEAR'S EVE AT HOME.
[ TELEPHONE RINGS ]
Padgett: I WAS GONNA WATCH THE BALL DROP,
AND THE NEXT THING I KNOW, I GOT A PHONE CALL.
MY NEIGHBOR CALLED ME,
AND HE'S LIKE, "HEY, KYLE, MAN, YOU DONE ANYTHING WRONG?"
AND I'M LIKE, "NO, MAN." I WAS LIKE, "WHY?"
HE'S LIKE, "'CAUSE THE COPS ARE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
KIND OF HEAVY RIGHT NOW."
[ SIRENS WAILING ]
I WAS GONNA RUN OUT THE BACK DOOR
TO GET RID OF SOME OF THE STUFF.
THERE WAS A COP BACK THERE WITH A FLASHLIGHT,
SO I RAN BACK INSIDE, BACK TOWARDS THE FRONT DOOR.
Oakes: WE SERVED THE SEARCH WARRANT,
AND WE FOUND SEVERAL ITEMS OF PROPERTY.
HE DENIED A LOT OF IT AS BEING STOLEN PROPERTY, LIKE,
"OH, NO, THAT'S NOT STOLEN. THAT'S MINE."
WE CAME TO A SET OF GOLF CLUBS
THAT HAD A LANDFALL TAG ON THE BAG.
AT THAT POINT, HE STARTED GETTING THE SAME FEELING,
AS FAR AS, "ALL RIGHT, THESE GUYS KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.
LET ME TRY TO HELP MYSELF OUT AS MUCH AS I CAN."
AND AT THAT POINT DURING THE SEARCH WARRANT,
HE AGREED TO TALK WITH US, AS WELL.
OKAY, SO, TELL ME ABOUT THESE BREAK-INS.
WE'D USE A BOAT TO GET DOWN THE WATERWAY
AND DOCK IT AND SNEAK IN.
Narrator: PADGETT DIVULGES EVERYTHING ABOUT HIS SCHEME,
THE NEIGHBORHOODS HE HIT,
HOW THEY WOULD UNLOAD THE STOLEN PROPERTY,
EVEN HIS PARTNERSHIP WITH KINDER.
DESPITE BEING CHARGED WITH 33 COUNTS EACH
OF BREAKING AND ENTERING AND LARCENY,
PADGETT IS RELEASED ON A SMALL BOND.
I WANT TO GET YOU OUT OF HERE TONIGHT,
BUT YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO COME BACK TOMORROW.
OKAY.
HE'S EXPECTED TO RETURN THE NEXT DAY
TO GIVE THEM EVEN MORE INFORMATION.
[ SIGHS ]
KINDER IS ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH THE SAME CRIMES AS PADGETT,
BUT HIS BOND IS SET AT $145,000.
BOTH HEATHER STRIDER AND HER BROTHER, STEVEN FOWLER,
ARE CHARGED WITH SEVEN COUNTS EACH
OF BREAKING AND ENTERING AND LARCENY.
Strider: THEY DIDN'T EVEN OFFER ME A DEAL.
I WASN'T SMART ENOUGH TO KNOW
THAT I NEEDED TO TALK TO A D.A. TO MAKE A DEAL.
Narrator: PADGETT AGREES TO REPORT TO THE STATION
IN THE MORNING, BUT HE QUICKLY HAS A CHANGE OF HEART.
Padgett: AND THE NEXT THING YOU KNOW,
IT WAS JUST LIKE, "I'M NOT WORKING FOR THESE COPS."
Narrator: HE ALSO WORRIES ABOUT THE OTHER CRIMES
POLICE COULD PIN ON HIM.
Padgett: I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT ELSE THEY WERE COMING AT ME WITH,
BUT I KNEW THAT I MADE IT OUT, AND NOW IT'S TIME TO GO.
Oakes: WE HAD NO REASON TO THINK
THAT HE WOULD HAVE ANY REASON TO NOT COOPERATE AT THAT POINT
BECAUSE IT WAS ONLY BENEFITING HIM.
I GUESS DURING THAT NIGHT, HE CHANGED HIS MIND,
DECIDED HE DIDN'T WANT TO COOPERATE.
Narrator: WITH NO OTHER OPTIONS, HE DECIDES TO GO INTO HIDING.
WHEN PADGETT FAILS TO APPEAR,
POLICE ISSUE A WARRANT FOR HIS ARREST.
Oakes: WE STARTED CHECKING HIS HOUSES,
THE RESIDENCES WHERE HE STAYED, LOOKING FOR HIS CARS.
PUT OUT E-MAILS TO NOT ONLY OUR DEPARTMENT
BUT SURROUNDING DEPARTMENTS
THAT "HEY, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE WARRANTS ON THIS GUY,
"AND WE'RE LOOKING FOR HIM.
EVERYBODY BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR HIM."
Narrator: PADGETT IS PUT ON THE COUNTY'S "MOST WANTED" LIST.
Oakes: AS WE WERE FINDING THESE NEW CASES,
WE WERE ENTERING A FEW MORE WARRANTS FOR HIM.
SO NOW HE HAD MORE OUTSTANDING WARRANTS,
AND MAYBE HE KNEW THAT WAS COMING.
Narrator: PADGETT IS CONFIDENT HE CAN AVOID ARREST
WHILE HE COMES UP WITH A PLAN TO DISAPPEAR.
HE HAS NO IDEA THAT POLICE ARE MORE DETERMINED THAN EVER
TO FIND HIM.
Narrator: JANUARY 2009.
WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA.
21-YEAR-OLD SERIAL THIEF KYLEN PADGETT
IS FACING SERIOUS JAIL TIME AFTER BEING BUSTED FOR BURGLARY
IN THE GATED COMMUNITY OF LANDFALL.
PADGETT AGREES TO COOPERATE WITH POLICE
IN EXCHANGE FOR A LIGHTER SENTENCE,
BUT HE HAS SECOND THOUGHTS AND INSTEAD, GOES ON THE RUN.
HE IS NOW ONE OF NEW HANOVER COUNTY'S MOST-WANTED FUGITIVES.
BY LETTING EVERYBODY IN THE LAW-ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY KNOW
THAT THIS PERSON IS WANTED,
YOU HAVE THOUSANDS OF EYES OUT ON THE STREET
LOOKING FOR HIM AT THAT POINT.
WE PUT OUT THE E-MAILS,
WE SENT OUT THE MESSAGES TO EVERYBODY
THAT "HEY, WE HAVE WARRANTS ON THIS GUY.
"THEY'RE OUTSTANDING, AND WE'RE TRYING TO SERVE HIM.
SO ANY HELP WE CAN GET WOULD BE APPRECIATED."
Narrator: POLICE QUESTION PADGETT'S BOSS
AT THE FAST-FOOD RESTAURANT WHERE HE WORKED.
BUT THE MANAGER HASN'T SEEN HIM.
HE KIND OF DISAPPEARED.
PADGETT'S TRAIL IS GROWING COLD.
BUT ACROSS TOWN, PADGETT IS HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT,
GETTING READY TO HEAD SOUTH OF THE BORDER.
I INHERITED SOME MONEY ABOUT A YEAR BEFORE THAT,
BUT I WAS WAITING FOR IT TO CLEAR THROUGH CERTAIN BANKS.
I HAD FAMILY IN MEXICO.
Narrator: HE'S BROKE AND DESPERATE FOR HELP.
BUT WITH A $1,500 AWARD OUT FOR HIS CAPTURE,
THERE ARE FEW PEOPLE HE CAN TRUST.
YOU SHOULD SEE THIS GIRL IN MY CLASS I'M GOING TO.
PADGETT LAYS LOW AT VARIOUS FRIENDS' HOUSES,
INCLUDING JIMMY PARRIER,
A STUDENT AT ONE OF THE LOCAL COLLEGES.
Padgett: THEY KNEW THAT I WAS ON THE RUN,
THAT I NEEDED TO STAY OUT OF TROUBLE.
ALL RIGHT, HANG TIGHT HERE.
I'M GONNA GO TO CLASS.
Narrator: OTHER THAN HIS FRIENDS,
PADGETT HAS VERY LITTLE CONTACT WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD.
HE FEELS LIKE A PRISONER AGAIN.
Padgett: I DIDN'T LIKE BEING COOPED UP.
BY NATURE, I CAN'T BE IN A HOUSE ALL DAY.
Narrator: HE COMES UP WITH A SOLUTION -- REINVENT HIMSELF.
I'LL JUST BECOME A DIFFERENT PERSON -- BECAME ALEX McCLAY.
AND WITH THAT, IT GAVE ME A SENSE OF, YOU KNOW,
"I CAN TELL PEOPLE WHO I AM NOW."
Narrator: PADGETT'S NEW IDENTITY TAKES,
AND ALEX McCLAY BECOMES WELL-LIKED
AMONG WILMINGTON'S COLLEGE STUDENTS.
FINALLY, THE $25,000 INHERITANCE FROM HIS GRANDMOTHER COMES IN,
BUT PADGETT DECIDES IT'S NOT ENOUGH.
Padgett: I WANTED TO GO AHEAD AND JUST DOUBLE IT,
AND, SO, THERE WAS ONLY ONE REAL WAY I KNEW HOW.
WE GOT TO FIND SOME POWDER, MAN.
I TOLD JIMMY -- I'M LIKE,
"YOU KNOW, WE GOT TO FIND SOME POWDER, DUDE."
I WAS LIKE,
"MAN, ALL OF OUR FRIENDS -- THEY WANT POWDER BAD."
THESE GIRLS OUT HERE LOVE COKE.
I NEVER REALLY HAD EXPERIENCE WITH SELLING MUCH DRUGS
AND STUFF LIKE THAT, BUT I KNEW IT COULDN'T BE THAT HARD.
I GUESS, AT HEART, I'M A BUSINESSMAN ANYWAY.
I LIKE TO STICK TO BUSINESS.
I THINK HE'S A PRETTY SMART GUY,
BUT HIS INTELLIGENCE IS MISPLACED, YOU KNOW?
YOU RUN ACROSS THOSE PEOPLE SOMETIMES.
FOR SOME REASON, THE WAY THEY'RE WIRED,
THEY WANT TO COMMIT CRIME.
Narrator: AS A COKE DEALER,
ALEX McCLAY BECOMES EVEN MORE POPULAR AROUND TOWN.
BUT WITH HIS NEW DRUG OPERATION IN FULL SWING,
PADGETT STARTS TO WORRY ABOUT POLICE CATCHING ON.
Padgett: I WAS SCARED THAT WHEN THE COPS CAME AFTER ME,
THEY WERE COMING WITH A VENGEANCE.
BECAUSE I JUST BEAT THE ATTEMPTED-*** RAP.
Narrator: A PARANOID PADGETT ARMS HIMSELF WITH A GUN.
Padgett: I ALWAYS HAD TWO EXTRA ROUNDS -- ONE ON MY NECKLACE.
I ALWAYS WORE MY HAT, AND I HAD ONE IN THE BUCKLE OF THE HAT
JUST IN CASE SOMETHING BAD
WOULD HAPPEN BETWEEN THE COPS AND ME --
THAT I COULD ALWAYS HAVE ONE FOR MYSELF, I GUESS.
Oakes: ANYBODY WHO'S RUNNING FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT --
THEY ALWAYS HAVE TO BE ON THEIR TOES.
EVERY TIME YOU WALK DOWN THE STREET,
EVERY POLICE CAR YOU SEE, YOU'RE DUCKING IN AN ALLEY.
EVERYTHING'S GONNA BE FINE, MAN.
YOU NEED TO CALM DOWN.
Narrator: AFTER THREE MONTHS AS ALEX,
PADGETT'S PARANOIA IS AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH.
HE'S READY TO MAKE HIS RUN,
BUT HE CAN'T DO IT AS KYLEN PADGETT.
HE NEEDS A FAKE I.D.
BUT IF YOU GET CAUGHT, YOU BETTER SAY YOU STOLE IT.
YEAH, YEAH.
THE LAST THING HE NEEDS TO DO
IS SELL OFF HIS REMAINING STASH OF COKE.
THEN HE CAN LEAVE WILMINGTON FOR GOOD.
Narrator: APRIL 2009.
PADGETT IS SKATEBOARDING THROUGH A LOCAL COLLEGE CAMPUS
AFTER A DRUG SALE.
Padgett: I WAS COMING OUT OF THE CAFETERIA.
I HAD MY PISTOL IN MY BACKPACK,
PROBABLY AN OUNCE OF COKE, MAYBE $6,000.
Narrator: HE IS STOPPED BY SECURITY.
HEY!
HE'S ONE OF THOSE RENT-A-COPS.
WHAT ARE YOU THINKING,
RIDING UP HERE WHERE PEOPLE ARE WALKING?
SO, HE WAS LIKE, "HEY! HEY! HEY!
"WHAT ARE YOU SKATING FOR?
GET OFF THE SKATEBOARD."
AND I'M LIKE, "WHOA, WHOA," AND HE'S ASKING FOR SCHOOL I.D.
AND I'M LIKE, "OH, MAN."
I HAD JIMMY'S I.D. ON ME.
GIVE ME THAT.
Narrator: THE GUARD CAREFULLY STUDIES THE I.D.
AND LOOKS CLOSELY AT PADGETT.
LOOK, DUDE, I'M JUST TRYING TO GET TO CLASS.
WITH A GUN, DRUGS, AND CASH ON HIM,
THIS COULD BE THE END OF THE LINE.
FOR MORE STORIES ABOUT FUGITIVES ON THE RUN,
GO TO investigation.discovery.com.
Narrator: APRIL 2009.
WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA.
AFTER BEATING ATTEMPTED *** CHARGES,
21-YEAR-OLD KYLEN PADGETT
IS BUSTED FOR A STRING OF ROBBERIES.
HE'S RELEASED ON BAIL AND HAS BEEN HIDING OUT
UNDER A NEW IDENTITY FOR THE LAST SIX MONTHS.
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATION ]
HEY!
WHEN PADGETT'S STOPPED BY CAMPUS SECURITY, HE PANICS.
IF THEY FIND THE GUN AND *** IN HIS BAG,
HE'S GOING TO PRISON.
WHAT'S YOUR NAME?
LOOK, DUDE, I'M JUST TRYING TO GET TO CLASS.
WHAT CLASS YOU TAKING?
I'M TRYING TO GET TO CLASS.
I GOT A FINAL TO TAKE.
BUT RIGHT AT THAT SAME SECOND,
I GUESS A CAR BACKED INTO ANOTHER CAR
IN THE SAME PARKING LOT WE WERE IN.
[ THUD ]
GET TO CLASS.
WHEN THAT HAPPENED, I WAS LIKE, "OH, YES!"
AND HE JUST HANDED ME I.D. BACK REAL QUICK.
I WAS LIKE, "ALL RIGHT, GOOD LUCK."
Narrator: PADGETT REALIZES THAT THE LONGER HE STAYS
IN WILMINGTON, THE MORE LIKELY HE'LL BE CAUGHT.
Narrator: MAY 17, 2009.
A MONTH AFTER PADGETT'S BRUSH WITH CAMPUS SECURITY,
HE HAS SOLD OFF THE REST OF HIS COKE SUPPLY.
HE HAS JUST ONE LAST THING TO DO BEFORE HE'S READY TO SKIP TOWN.
I WAS GONNA BUY A MOTORCYCLE THAT'S SOMETHING I COULD LOAD UP
AND TAKE WITH ME ON A TRAILER TO MEXICO
AND THAT'S SOMETHING CHEAP AND EASY TO GET AROUND TOWN ON.
Narrator: PADGETT AND A COUPLE OF FRIENDS
ARE ON THEIR WAY TO GET BREAKFAST,
BUT FIRST, THE DRIVER STOPS TO RUN AN ERRAND.
Padgett: I JUST HAD BUTTERFLIES.
I KNEW SOMETHING BAD WAS GONNA HAPPEN.
Narrator: HE NOTICES A WILMINGTON POLICE CAR
PARKED ACROSS THE STREET.
WORSE YET, THE OFFICER INSIDE IS A FAMILIAR FACE.
Padgett: I NOTICE WILLIAMSON.
I WAS LIKE, "YEAH, I KNOW HIM FROM THE COUNTY JAIL."
HE USED TO WORK FOR THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT,
AND HE TRANSFERRED OVER TO THE WPD.
SO, WE'RE SITTING THERE AND I'M LOOKING OVER
AND I'M LIKE, "OH, MAN, HE SEES ME."
Narrator: ON A HUNCH, OFFICER WILLIAMSON RADIOS IN
ABOUT THE CAR.
THE VEHICLE HAD WINDOW TINT,
WHICH IS A VIOLATION HERE IN NORTH CAROLINA.
THEN I RAN THE REGISTRATION PLATE,
AND THROUGH THAT, THE REGISTERED OWNER HAD SOME HISTORY OF B&Es,
OR BREAKING AND ENTERINGS.
HEY, DUDE, WE GOT TO GO.
I DON'T LIKE THE LOOK OF THIS.
Narrator: OFFICER WILLIAMSON DECIDES TO INVESTIGATE.
JUST THEN, PADGETT REMEMBERS HE'S CARRYING HIS REAL I.D.
Padgett: I HAD JIMMY'S I.D. ON ME, AND I HAD MY I.D. ON ME.
JIMMY'S I.D. WAS YOUNGER, AND MY I.D. SAID 21.
I WAS LIKE THE DESIGNATED "GO GET SOME BEER."
Narrator: HE QUICKLY JAMS HIS REAL I.D. BETWEEN THE SEATS.
GOOD MORNING, FELLAS. HOW ARE YOU TODAY?
AS OFFICER WILLIAMSON QUESTIONS THE MEN,
SOMETHING CATCHES HIS EYE.
Williamson: AND IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THERE WERE TOOLS IN THE CAR
IN PLAIN SIGHT.
WHAT ARE THEM TOOLS FOR? ARE YOU A MECHANIC?
NO, I'M NOT WORKING RIGHT NOW.
SIR, DO YOU MIND IF I SEARCH YOUR VEHICLE?
THEY GAVE ME SUSPICION FOR ME TO WANT TO SEARCH THE CAR,
AND THEN I ASKED THE DRIVER IF I HAD HIS PERMISSION
TO SEARCH THE VEHICLE, AND HE HAD NO PROBLEM.
Narrator: PADGETT'S MIND IS RACING AS HE WEIGHS HIS OPTIONS.
I WAS LIKE, "ALL RIGHT, THERE'S TWO THINGS GONNA HAPPEN --
"EITHER I'M COMING OUT OF THESE SHOES AND I'M GONNA RUN,
"OR I'M GONNA MAKE IT OUT OF HERE CLEAN."
Williamson: AS I STARTED TO SEARCH THE BACK-SEAT AREA,
I REACHED IN BETWEEN THE BOTTOM OF THE BACK SEAT IN THE BACK
AND FOUND A NORTH CAROLINA IDENTIFICATION CARD.
Narrator: OFFICER WILLIAMSON FINDS PADGETT'S I.D.
IT'S A NAME AND FACE HE KNOWS WELL.
I REMEMBERED HIM AS BEING THE WHINY KID THAT WAS IN JAIL.
Narrator: COINCIDENTALLY, THE OFFICER ALSO SAW HIM
ON TV THE NIGHT BEFORE.
Williamson: OBVIOUSLY SHOCKED.
I JUST SAW HIM A FEW HOURS BEFORE
ON THE "MOST WANTED" CHANNEL.
Narrator: BUT AT FIRST, HE DOESN'T RECOGNIZE PADGETT.
DO YOU GUYS KNOW KYLEN PADGETT?
AND I TURNED AND TOOK OFF TO RUN.
HE GRABBED ME AND BALLED ME UP...
GET OFF ME!
...PUT ME ON THE GROUND, ARRESTED ME.
HE SAID, "WE GOTCHA."
HE'S LIKE, "WELL, HOW DO YOU FEEL?"
I WAS LIKE, "I FEEL IT'S A RELIEF -- DEFINITELY A RELIEF.
"IT'S OVER.
I'M READY TO GET THIS TAKEN CARE OF."
Narrator: MAY 19, 2009.
PADGETT IS ARRAIGNED ON A TOTAL OF 99 CHARGES,
INCLUDING 11 OUTSTANDING WARRANTS IN WILMINGTON
AND 34 OTHER WARRANTS IN NEW HANOVER COUNTY.
UNABLE TO AVOID PRISON THIS TIME,
HE PLEADS GUILTY TO THE CHARGES.
PADGETT SERVES HIS TIME AT DUPLIN CORRECTIONAL CENTER
IN NORTH CAROLINA.
Padgett: LOOKING BACK, THERE'S A LOT I WOULD DO DIFFERENTLY.
I WOULD'VE TURNED MYSELF IN.
Narrator: PADGETT WAS RELEASED IN APRIL 2013.
TIME WILL TELL WHAT HIS FUTURE HOLDS.